Ex-postal worker sentenced for mail theft

﻿A former U.S. Postal Service worker who stole mail for
painkillers and cash to support a long-term drug habit was
sentenced to federal probation on Friday.

Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Richard C. Tallman of
Seattle gave Tyler E. Blazina, 36, of Billings a break from prison
but promised to lock him up for a long time if he violates release
conditions.

Tallman heard the case after Chief U.S. District Judge Richard
Cebull removed himself.

Tallman imposed five years of probation with 10 months to be
served in a pre-release center in Billings, and $324
restitution.

Blazina faced a guideline range of 10 months to 16 months in
prison and a statutory maximum of five years and a maximum $250,000
fine.

Tallman agreed with the defense’s recommendation for probation
even though Blazina has three drunken-driving convictions, a
domestic-abuse conviction and a felony criminal endangerment
conviction. Blazina was on state probation when he committed the
federal crime and had failed two prior addiction treatment
programs.

Tallman asked Blazina what is different now.

“I’m ready,” Blazina said. “I’m fed up with living like that.
I’ve humiliated myself to the point where I can’t do this anymore.
I’m sick of letting everybody down.”

Blazina is a familiar name at the Postal Service, where Tyler’s
father, Ted Blazina, worked for 37 years and was the marketing
manager before retiring in 2006. Ted Blazina’s brother recently
retired from the Postal Service, and his wife’s job is ending this
month with the agency’s staff reductions.

In a letter to the judge, Ted Blazina said he was devastated
when he learned of his son’s thefts. “To say my family was
humiliated by Ty’s behavior is an understatement,” he said.

But, he continued, his son hit rock bottom with the case,
accepted responsibility and was working to stay sober and to change
his life.

Defense attorney Vern Woodward recommended probation and
submitted numerous letters of support from Blazina’s family,
friends, his current employer, The Good Earth Market, and his
former supervisor at the U.S. Postal Service.

But U.S. Attorney Jessica Fehr opposed any break from the
guidelines, saying Blazina is no different from other defendants in
similar situations. She recommended a 12-month sentence with six
months in community or home confinement.

Blazina has a long criminal record and is on his best behavior
when being supervised, she said. As for Blazina’s promise to turn
his life around, Fehr said, “I do hope Mr. Blazina really means it
this time.”

What made Blazina different, Tallman said, was strong support
from family and friends and his success with his current treatment
program. The judge said he would be “warehousing” Blazina with a
prison sentence because it would not be long enough for Blazina to
qualify for treatment.

Blazina pleaded guilty in February to theft of mail by a Postal
Service employee. He said he had run out of cash and stole money
and pills in the mail to feed his serious opiate addition.

Blazina estimated that he stole 100 pieces of mail during about
two months starting in September 2010. Investigators confirmed at
least 60 pieces of stolen mail.

An investigation by the Postal Service Office of Inspector
General started after getting reports of missing parcels of
prescription medication sent by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The packages arrived at the Billings Processing and Distribution
Center but were not scanned after that point.

Investigators watching the center saw Blazina, whose job
included sorting mail, put nine first-class letters and a small
package into his pockets and socks, Fehr said.

When confronted, Blazina gave the officers the letters and
package and an additional 14 letters and two parcels from his
locker. The unopened packages appeared to contain pill bottles.